Posted on 04/10/2006 11:00:08 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern were the two most widely identified radio talk hosts in the U.S. [94%] and [89%] according to a recently released study by the Benchmark Company. But there was a general decline in the ability of regular talk radio listeners to identify other nationally syndicated hosts.
“With the exception of a few, well-established icons like Limbaugh and Stern, it may well be that the number of nationally syndicated radio hosts has gone past the point where the average listener can absorb all the names,” said Dr. Rob Balon, CEO of Benchmark.
The study of 1120 regular listeners of AM and FM talk radio was the third installment in the Benchmark series on talk radio that began in 1994.
In addition, the study found that there were more listeners who classified themselves as political moderates and fewer who identified themselves as conservatives.
“This may not bode well for stations that have gone to all conservative formats,” said Balon. “We’re at a very critical point for the format. “First and foremost, talk radio should be about entertainment. And the industry has tried to divide it into two monolithic camps: conservatives vs. liberals [Air America]. Endless advocacy can flat out get boring, no matter which side you subscribe to.”
Another surprising finding was the perceived importance of local radio talk hosts. Sixty-nine percent of respondents mentioned a local host when asked who their favorite radio personality was.
“Local hosts talk about things that impact folks on their own turf,” explained Balon. “Sometimes it is politics, sometimes water cooler stuff.; but it is what the listener relates to.
Almost 50% the respondents [overwhelmingly female and moderate/liberal] felt that talk radio format lacked balance. Many listeners [24%] also chastised talk radio for having“sameness” about it.
“The radio industry has always had a tendency to clone good things,” said Balon. “While Rush Limbaugh has been a very good program for stations, there simply may be too many shows that emulate him at this time.”
Seventeen percent of respondents also expressed that they wanted their talk stations to feature more two-way talk between hosts and listeners. The study also addressed the role of the Internet and of technology in talk radio. 49% of respondents said they’d consider a monthly subscription if their favorite host went to a satellite station. And 65% mentioned visiting their favorite talk station’s web site while 19% said they at least occasionally listened on-line.
Rush Limbaugh should be the next President and Howard Stern should clean the White House toilet.
[overwhelmingly female and moderate/liberal] felt that talk radio format lacked balance.
That means they don't like that they don't totally control it, like just about all the other media.
Except that AM and FM listeners can't listen to Stern anymore.
Who's the talk show host that works for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse?
:)
I find this rather odd. First of all, Sirius has a grand total of about six million subscribers. Even if every single one of them tuned in for Sterns show every single day, there must be a dozen or more nationally syndicated radio hosts who boast a higher audience. Rush generally brings in 15-20 million a day, so how is it that Stern is still a dominating factor in talk radio?
Because of Stern, I will never, ever, ever, send one dime to Sirrus.
LOL! The thing is, I have a feeling that Rush introduced Hannity to Ruth's Chris, since I remember Rush mentioning Ruth's Chris before Hannity went national.
LOL! That's a good one. As conservative formats continue to lap liberal ones all the way to the bank, this writer thinks it 'doesn't bode well'! LOL!!
It has nothing to do with ratings.
Stern before he went to satellite was runing about 4 or 5 million listeners. Rush has about 15 million, Hanity has about 13 million, many conservative talk show hosts had better ratings than Stern.
A lot more people know Larry King's name but his audience is about 1/3 of O'Reilly's.
Jay Severin, weekdays 7 to 10 PM:
WPHT-AM Philadelphia
WTKK-FM Boston
KRLD-AM Dallas
WJFK-FM Washington DC
"South Park" meets "Firing Line".... Intelligent and brazen, like a cross between Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern.
Yeah, and I'm sure these same people complain about the lack of balance on ABCCBSNBCCNN.
In an interesting but meaningless coincidence, Stern and Limbaugh share the same birthday.
:)
I remember that as well...
I actually have two gift cards to Ruth's Chris. Might be time to go spend them...
I get the impression that this survey lumps two distinctly different talk show genres into one category: you have the conservative talk shows that we all know about--Rush, Hannity, et.al., and you have the "whacky" morning DJ talk show, which is heavy on juvenile humor and repetition.
They're lumping the apples with the oranges here, IMO.
I got a gift card to Ruth's Chris for Christmas from my uncle, and I used it on Valentine's Day when I took out my girlfriend to dinner. They are excellent gifts.
"They" (I am a woman but strongly disagree w/sentiment quoted) have preconceived "facts" and talk radio shoots the air out of those balloons.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.